Mochokiella
paynei Howes, 1980
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his is the only representative of the Mochokiella
genus in the Mochokidae family. It was described by Dr.Gordon
Howes of the Natural History Museum in London with a specimen provided
in 1980 by Steve Pritchard a friend and fellow member of the
Catfish
Study Group
It is very close to the Synodontis species
but can be told apart by its very long branched barbels ( outer
mandibular = 3 branches, inner mandibular = 4 ) and its comparatively
small size. It is also very much like in appearance, the genus Microsynodontis,
but as mentioned before they have longer mandibular barbels, a larger
eye, smaller adipose fin and a forked caudal fin, whereas the Microsynodontis
genus has a rounded caudal and smaller eyes.
It likes clean water with low nitrates, so keep up the monthly water
changes in your aquarium.
If affordable purchase more than one
individual as I'm sure this species would be a prime candidate for
a determined and successful breeder in the future.
Above picture shows the branched barbels unique to this species
Head markedly curved, snout rounded. Mouth
small, lower lip not developed as in Synodontis. Eye supero-lateral.
Humeral process elongate and pointed, almost as long as the pectoral
fin, barbels with unilateral branching.
Mottled, reticulated dark brown markings on
beige-creamy background. Most distinctive are the dark bands across
the head and those linking the eye with the nostrils and corner
of the mouth. The anterier part of the body is uniformly dark but
posteriorly is reticulate. Particularly noticeable is the diagonal
stripe from the rear of the adipose fin to the anal fin. The adipose
fin has a light border, all other fins are barred and blotched.
All barbels are barred.
This catfish is an excellent addition to any
community tank. It can be very secretive during the day but is certainly
happier if you furnish the aquarium with hiding places such as bogwood/logs,
pipes or rockwork. You can then see it occasionally with such a
set-up.
Not known. Females are rounder in the body
than males.
Will take most prepared aquarium foods such
as frozen bloodworm, whiteworm, shrimp, prawns, tablet food, flake
and pellets.
| Etymology |
Mochokiella:
From the Latin -ella; in reference to the small size of the
fish (literally: "a small Mochokus").
paynei : named after its
discoverer, Dr. Payne, in a rain forest creek in Sierra Leone.
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| References |
Burgess E. Warren
Dr. An Atlas of Freshwater and Marine Catfishes, 1989.
Baench, Aquarium Atlas 2, 1993.
Sands, David. Catfishes of the World Vol2.,1983.
Howes, G.J. 1980 A new catfish from Sierra Leone. Bull. Br./Mus.
Nat. Hist. (Zool) 38(3): 165-170
Top & Bottom image: © 
Middle image: Allan James @
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| Synonyms:
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| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Payne's
Catfish |
| Family: |
| Mochokidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Mochocinae |
| Distribution: |
Sierra
Leone, Africa:
type locality, Kassawe Forest Reserve, Sierra Leone. |
| Size: |
| 8cm. (3¼ins) |
| Temp: |
| 22-26°C
(71-80°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.2 - 7.5 |
| Donation: |
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